land based empires

What fueled the expansion of land-based empires (c. 1450-1750)?

Gunpowder technology (cannons, muskets) allowed empires to conquer and control territories more effectively. Competition for resources and trade routes also drove expansion.

Examples of expanding land-based empires during this period:

• Ottoman Empire: Expanded into Eastern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
• Safavid Empire: Controlled Persia and parts of Central Asia.
• Mughal Empire: Dominated the Indian subcontinent.
• Russian Empire: Expanded eastward into Siberia and Central Asia.
• Ming/Qing Dynasty: Consolidated control over China and expanded into Central Asia and Tibet.

How did land-based empires govern their diverse populations?

• Centralized Bureaucracies: Employed systems of officials to administer territories, collect taxes, and enforce laws.
• Military Power: Maintained strong armies to suppress rebellions and defend borders.
• Tribute Systems: Extracted resources and labor from conquered peoples.
• Religious Policies: Varied from tolerance to forced conversion, depending on the empire and the period.
• Development of infrastructure: Building of roads and canals helped centralize control

What facilitated the growth of maritime empires (c. 1450-1750)?

Advances in shipbuilding, navigation (compass, astrolabe), and cartography enabled Europeans to explore, conquer, and establish trade networks across the oceans.